Mental Health is such a taboo subject that it may keep many of you from even reading this short article.
None the less, mental health is a critical element in our society and I believe we must address it head on.
If I get the flu, I can go to the naturopath and get support in my recovery, if I pull a muscle I can go to a massage therapist or a physiotherapist to get support. Most of us don’t feel any reluctance or shame when looking for help in those physical areas but when it comes to mental health we are often too confused or frightened to seek help.
We may feel judged or defective in some way if we need some guidance or support with our mental health. Some struggle in silence and produce painful lives for themselves and their loved ones. Hoping it all just goes away can have devastating and disastrous consequences. So, what can you do to help yourself, your friends, or your family.
The Mental Health Commission of Canada recently said that 20% (1 in 5) people in Canada live with some form of mental illness. That is a staggering number of people who are missing work, struggling with relationships, and contributing less to society than they could. If that many people were off with the flu, for example, or out of commission due to digestive problems, then the issue would be front-page news. We would band together, pool our resources, and make a difference but the unfortunate truth is we (as a society) want the issue to just go away and not be true.
One of the popular misconceptions about mental illness is that people who are mentally ill are violent. This is a gross exaggeration and one that is not helpful at all. Consider that one in five people that you work with may struggle with mental illness. Does that concern you, does it help to explain why behaviour is not always what you expect to see. Does it open your heart with compassion for your fellow workers? Ok, what is next? What can we do?
Did you know that many forms of mental illness develop before we are 18 years old. It makes sense when you think about it, those are the formative years and can be a source of great stress and tension as we grow and develop.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an international program that has been active since about 2007. The program is offered in every province in Canada and throughout Ontario in particular. Many organizations, church groups, employers, unions, volunteer groups, and families who are affected by mental illness have participated in this program.
Perhaps next time you see someone in distress, don’t turn away, ask if they need help. Sometimes just a caring voice, helping hand, or a compassionate ear can make all the difference. Don’t be afraid to suggest they go to seek some help. A quick look through Google will bring up at least 50 highly trained and talented counsellors, psychotherapists, or mental health practitioners from the Peterborough area alone.
To help with this problem (remember it affects 1 in 5 people) we have to first bring it into the light of day. We must become educated about mental illness; we must work with diligence and compassion. To see a very interesting youtube video by Shelagh Rogers as she speaks about mental health Click Here.
Her video is part of “Opening Minds” a Canadian program focused on reducing stigma and seeking to change Canadians’ behaviours and attitudes toward people living with mental illness.
